Guest post from Russ's Mom, Karen Finch <3
Jacy
Jacy, our Lhaso Apso, was eleven years old when she developed a big, raw, open bleeding sore on her back hip.
It is very handy having a vet in the family who is also very attached to family pets.
She let us treat it as an infection for a little bit, but after a week or so said she probably needed surgery. I dropped her off at the clinic and refused to think about what Dr. Finch was not saying.
When I went to get her after surgery, I had to cry. She had staples all the way down her leg, and it made me sad. Shawn said there was more to it than she had thought. But still no C word, or maybe there was and my ears wouldn't accept it.
Karen and Phill with Lucy and Jacy - Photo by Liz
A few days later my phone rang and Dr. Finch responded with a choked up voice that the labs showed lymphoma. She said six to ten months was the prognosis. We discussed steroids or chemo, but she was eleven and still loved life as it was and didn't know what we knew, so we decided to just enjoy her while we could. I lit up Facebook and all my friends to pray!!!! Jacy healed fast, and went on with her life.
Jacy and Lucy
Well, thanks to a wonderful, super special surgeon, vet, daughter in law, it will be three years in May when all this happened. She is now fourteen and has enjoyed her life to the fullest. Slowing down a little, but not much, eyes are dimming, and maybe a little dementia, but no cancer!!!!!!
34 months and counting!
So, Dr. Finch, Shawn, don't dwell on the sad things because there are way more happy stories over the years. Even Wuzzy lived way past the ratties' life span!!!! We love you so much!!!!!!
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Post from one year ago today...
March 6, 2016